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"I always keep a stimulant handy in case I see a snake - which I also keep handy" - W. C. Fields
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When I wrote about Vanessa Carlton a few months ago, the comments section of that opinion quickly became an advert for Michelle Branch. Having grouped Carlton together with Avril Lavigne and Norah Jones and one of a group of singer songwriters appearing from the US in recent times, I was chastised for neglecting to mention Michelle Branch.
The reason for this being that I didn’t really know a great deal about Michelle Branch. Hers was a name I’d heard of, and had read good things about, but hadn’t taken the plunge with. But, having also been told that Michelle Branch would possibly be more to my taste, I decided to take the plunge. For no other reason than I’d just missed my train home from work and saw it sitting there in a record shop. The place is called “Impulse” for a reason, and I suspect I may be that reason!
Much like Vanessa Carlton, Michelle Branch seems to be slipping along quietly in the background, career wise. Also missing out on the hype generated around Avril Lavigne by the music press, and that generated around Norah Jones by the Grammy Awards, Michelle Branch has done her own thing, and has sneaked a second release out while the others are still riding the waves of their debuts.
Certainly, Michelle Branch has one advantage over the others in that she’s a guitarist. Although this isn’t necessarily a guarantee of something good, it’s perhaps an indication of a sound with a little more edge to it than is common from primarily piano based artists such as Vanessa Carlton or, more recently, Delta Goodrem. So it was with some hope I turned to this album.
The album opens with “Everywhere”, selected as one of the singles. It’s largely acoustic
guitar based, but segues into a something slightly rockier, with the vocals suggesting she’s aiming for an Alanis Morrisette kind of sound, although Pink is perhaps the closest comparison.
“You Get Me” starts in a way that reminds me a little of Vanessa Carlton, and the slower pace of the track carries this feeling along. The sound is more rounded than Carlton’s work, though, and maybe a little closer to an Avril Lavigne ballad or Delta Goodrem. The slower numbers don’t appear to be Michelle Branch’s forte, though, and she sounds more settled when she’s increasing the tempo and rocking out a little more.
The next track doesn’t do a great deal to change this opinion, sadly. “All You Wanted” starts slowly and quietly, but builds up in much the same way as a 1980’s rock ballad. Unfortunately, the final effort sounds like Avril Lavigne again, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but perhaps falling short of the promise of the idea.
“You Set Me Free” is heading more in the right direction again. Although it begins in a similar vein to the previous couple of tracks, the sound builds up more effectively into a mid tempo guitar pop track, similar to “Everywhere”, although a little slower and with less of a rock edge.
There’s quite a mish-mash of influences on “Something To Sleep To”. The opening sounds very much like Vanessa Carlton or the Ben Folds Five, although there’s an almost Beatles sound to many parts of the overall song. The vocals are more in the style of Pink and there are moments where there’s a promise that the song may become a decent rock ballad. Unfortunately, the parts don’t really come together as a whole, and this is one of the least appealing tracks on the album.
“Here With Me” has a slightly ethereal opening, and parts are more synthesizer heavy than previous tracks. For the most part, it’s a mid-tempo pop number, with an acoustic guitar prevalent. It’s certainly reminiscent of Lene Marlin for the most part but would probably be a stronger track without the additional effects.
The introduction to “Sweet Misery” reminds me very much of Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”, even down to the sound of Branch’s vocals. While there are again shades of Lene Marlin in the overall sound of the track, another mid-paced pop number,
If there was one track that stood out for me right from the first play, “If Only She Knew” is the one. The major difference with this track is that the bass line is a lot more audible than before, giving the song a slightly funky backing, not dissimilar to Green Day’s “When I Come Around”. It’s a cheerful mid tempo pop track with a little nod towards the rock end of the spectrum during the chorus, and the only one that makes me feel like pressing the repeat button.
The title of “I’d Rather Be In Love” suggests that this isn’t going to be continued, although the introduction has an indie feel to it, and reminds me a little of Muse. The track turns out to have more in common with Natalie Imbruglia again, which is no bad thing, but not quite what was promised.
“Goodbye To You” is another ballad, a little heavier on the piano again. Again, Branch’s sound is a little more rounded than Vanessa Carlton’s, and is more towards the slightly richer sound of Delta Goodrem. Some of the vocal work sounds a little like Avril Lavigne ballad, although Branch’s voice doesn’t sound quite as if she’s straining so hard.
The album closes on “Drop In The Ocean”, which reminds me of something I can’t quite place. It’s got a kind of floaty, ethereal ballad type vocal. A surprisingly increase in the tempo part way through the song suddenly makes it sound like a Tin Tin Out remix. It’s different enough from the overall sound to be noticeable, but doesn’t really appeal.
Despite occasional nods towards harder edged acts, Michelle Branch’s sound can really only be described as “heavy pop”, which seems to be quite popular at present. Fans of current acts such as Amy Studt, Busted and even Avril Lavigne may appreciate a more mature version of what they have been used to from their favoured acts. Fans of Sheryl Crow, Natalie Imbruglia, Lene Marlin and Pink’s more recent sound will find something they can relate to and will probably enjoy greatly.
After the comments I received, I didn’t enjoy this album quite as much as I expected to. It sounds a little more genuine than Avril Lavigne, being without the forced attempts to achieve a punkier sound, but is heavier edged than Vanessa Carlton. Somehow, though, Michelle Branch seems caught a little between the two. This will never be among my favourites, despite a couple of great tracks but wondering how she may develop on the next album combined with the general inoffensiveness of this album will probably persuade me to investigate.
This isn’t the kind of album you can really play in the background as it does grab you occasionally, but it doesn’t have enough to grab you and make you want to listen to it over and over again. As a major label debut, it’s a harmless enough pop record, though.
At 11 tracks and 42 minutes long, this album is shorter than those released by Branch’s contemporaries. However, at only £8.99 for the basic version from CD-Wow, it’s worth a look for heavy pop fans. With a second album now on sale, expect to see this album included in future cut price promotions from the major high street retailers.
There is an enhanced version available, as well, which Amazon lists as an import for an extortionate £15.99. The additional material, which is only a link to her website, and few photos and the video to “Everywhere”, isn’t worth this extra amount. However, the enhanced CD is available offline for a regular price of around £11.99. Personally, I’d choose to pay the £8.99 from CD-Wow and go without.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
A well balanced review (written on my mother's 74th birthday btw) ~ I particularly liked the way you compared the available versions, putting the more expensive import in context, at the end, in your summing up! ~ ~ .................................................................................................... ~ ♥ ~ jes ~ ♥♥
salem_witch 02.04.2006 15:11
I've never heard of her before! It does sound like something I'd like. Its a shame her ballads aren't all that good though.
HotBabes 26.03.2006 15:32
Doesn't sound like my sort of thing, but I only know that from reading this, so thank you. x x
"So I'm a little left of centre, I'm a little out of tune", sings Michelle Branch on The ... more
Spirit Room's second number "You Get Me" ...well, maybe. Branch offers a well-produced pastiche of chiming and strumming guitars, hip-hop-lite beats, quiet-verse-t...
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Sep 7th, 2003
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